Morocco’s impressive unbeaten streak under head coach Walid Regragui came to a painful end on Sunday night after a dramatic 1–0 defeat to Senegal in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, decided after extra time in Rabat.
The loss not only denied the hosts a first continental title in nearly five decades but also halted a remarkable sequence of 24 matches without defeat, a run that had stretched back to early 2024 and become a defining feature of Regragui’s reign.
It also ended a run of 39 home games without a defeat.
Senegal’s triumph, sealed by Pape Gueye’s powerful strike in the 94th minute, brought an abrupt end to Morocco’s momentum on the biggest stage.
The final was marked by controversy and tension, particularly in stoppage time of normal regulation when the referee awarded Morocco a penalty after initially disallowing a Senegalese goal.
The decision sparked furious protests from the Senegal camp, briefly leading to players leaving the pitch before play resumed. Morocco were handed a golden opportunity to decide the final, but Ibrahim Díaz squandered the penalty, striking tamely at goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
That moment proved pivotal. Senegal entered extra time with renewed belief, while Morocco struggled to regain composure despite enjoying territorial advantage. Gueye’s long-range effort eventually broke the deadlock, stunning the home crowd and shifting the balance irreversibly in favour of the defending champions.
Beyond the immediate disappointment of losing the final, the defeat carried wider significance for Morocco. It ended an unbeaten home run that included 27 wins and five draws, during which the Atlas Lions scored freely and conceded only nine goals, keeping 25 clean sheets across all competitions.
The sequence had begun with a friendly win over Angola in March 2024 and had raised hopes of challenging the longest unbeaten runs in international football.
Instead, Senegal halted Morocco’s charge and reinforced their own dominance on the continent, while the Atlas Lions were left to reflect on a final that slipped away amid fine margins, controversy and missed opportunities.
